Conway Cash is finally ready to settle down, and he has the perfect woman in his sights. The only thing is, he’s dead set against being a father—and Isi Lopez has twin four-year-old boys. When he finds himself roped into babysitting for them, life starts getting complicated!

Kids or no, Conway soon discovers he and Isi make a great couple. And hanging around with her kids isn’t so bad—that is, until they beg him to be their new daddy. The pressure is piling up for this formerly footloose cowboy…but with some luck, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit, Conway just may find himself in the center of his own ready-made family!

I enjoyed this book by Marin.This book includes passion, laughs, heartache, and jealously.

If you have not read the below from this series I would recommend reading those books first they are all by Marin.

A Cowboy’s Duty –This is the Sister’s Story it’s optional

The Cowboy Next Door –This is Johnny’s Story

Conway Twitty Cash is looking for “the one” but it seems like everyone he tries to date has kids or wants them.He has decided that he will never be a father so he needs to find someone that does not have kids and does not want them.After finding out his latest date has a child he leaves the rodeo early and goes to the Border Town Bar & Grill where his friend Isadore “Isi” Lopez works. His date finds him there and takes a swing at him only to hit Isi.

Conway is part rodeo cowboy and part Pecan farmer

Isi is a single mother with twin boys working and going to school

Isi works at the Border Town Bar & Grill at night

After getting hit by Conway’s date Isi needs to go to the ER

Isi is Conway’s best friend.They shared some kisses but as soon as he found out she had kids the kisses stopped.Rather than lose each other they are friends.Conway comes into the bar a talks to Isi about his woman and about finding theone.She is attracted to Conway but knows he does not want kids. So she will settle for being friends.

After her sitter quits Conway agrees to watch the twin boys for her while she goes to classes and works.He has fun spending time with the boys.They go Trick or Treating together and help him with the Pecan farming.After seeing her boys with Conway Isi realizes they need a male role model so she goes on a date but it’s a disaster.Conway decides he will fix her up with his “safe” brother Will.

Conway takes the boys to the rodeo and to the farm

Miguel opened the door and Javier’s face lit up with excitement. “What superhero are you, Conway?”

“I’m not a superhero, Javi. I’m a caveman.”

Isi nearly swallowed her tongue when Conway stepped into the trailer wearing a fur cape. Her gaze traveled over his muscular bare chest, across his leatherlike kilt and down his naked legs – which she’d never seen before now – to the flip-flops on his feet

After Trick or treating they went to go see a drive-in movie

Things start falling apart between Conway and Isi after they spend the night together.It gets even worst when the twins ask something of Conway he is sure he cannot give them. Conway tries to give the boys a puppy to make up for disappointing them but that does not work out well….

Bandit

Read the book to get answers to the below:

Is Will a safe bet to date Isi?

Why is Conway so against being a father or dating someone with kids?

What did the boys ask of Conway?

The twins are both so cute in this story.I love that you can really feel the twins and Conway bondin this story. The chemistry between Isi and Conway is great.I felt that I was watching a few friends fall in love right in front of me.Granted there were times I wanted to smack Conway…. But all in all a really great read!

Marin Thomas grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. She left the Midwest to attend college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she played basketball for the Lady Wildcats and earned a B.A. in Radio-TV. Following graduation she married her college sweetheart in a five-minute ceremony at the historical Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years she and her family have lived in seven different states but have now come full circle and returned to Arizona where the rugged desert and breathtaking sunsets provide plenty of inspiration for Marin’s cowboy books.

Excerpt:

Conway Twitty Cash had only one rule when it came to women—never date one with kids. Period. No exceptions. Not even if the woman sent dirty text photos of her hooters and her coochie-coo.

Friday afternoon at the Midway Arizona Cowboy Rodeo Days, Conway had been the recipient of a sexy text from a buckle bunny he’d met earlier in the day. Once his eyes had quit bugging out at Bridget’s voluptuous tatas, he’d noticed a child’s Batman cape draped over a chair in the background of the photo. Alarmed, he’d asked his rodeo competitors about Bridget and had learned she was a single mom. When they’d first met, he’d asked if she’d had kids, and she’d said no.

Too upset to focus on his ride, the bronc had tossed him on his head as soon as he cleared the chute. Afterward, Conway had made a bee-line for the parking lot—he hadn’t been about to wait for Bridget to catch up to.

Miffed, ticked off and whole lotta pissing mad, he pulled into the Border Town Bar & Grill in Yuma—the employer of his good friend and pseudo-therapist Isadora Lopez. Two years ago when he’d first met Isi, he’d been drawn to her dark brown eyes and girl-next-door prettiness. He’d turned on the charm and she’d rewarded his flirting with fleeting touches, accidental bumps and sultry looks. Then he’d asked her to dance during her break and when their bodies had come in contact, a zap of electricity had shot through him. He’d been sure the night would end in Isi’s bed, until she’d mentioned that she was a single mother of twin boys.

He’d told Isi that he had nothing against kids, but had no intention of ever being a father. From that day on, they’d settled into a comfortable friendship where Isi listened to him whine and offered advice about how to find the perfect woman—one who didn’t want children.

The bar was packed on this late September afternoon. The crowd sitting in front of the big-screen TV watched a college football game between state rivals the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Conway slid onto a stool and waved to the barkeep. Red was a mountain of a man—six-feet-seven inches—and bald with a crimson beard that ended in the middle of his chest.

After handing a pitcher of margaritas to a waitress named Sasha, Red brought Conway a bottle of his favorite beer. “You rodeo today?”

“Got bucked off.”

“Too bad.”

“Where’s Isi?” Conway asked.

“In class.” Red checked his watch. “She should be here any minute.” Isi was working toward a two-year business degree from the local community college.

Red went to fill a drink order and Conway picked at the paper label on his beer bottle and silently cursed Bridget. Why was it so difficult to find a woman who didn’t want children? After he’d discovered he came from a long line of deadbeat dads, he’d decided he didn’t want to follow in their footsteps, but unlike his father, grandfather and great-grandfather Conway wasn’t opposed to marriage. He yearned for the emotional closeness of a committed relationship.

He wasn’t a braggart, but the face he saw in the mirror each morning had garnered his fair share of female attention. At twenty-eight he’d thought for sure he’d have found the one by now, but every time he began thinking happy-ever-after, the one decided she’d like to have children after all.

Maybe he should take a break from his search. Now that he was responsible for managing the family pecan farm, he had plenty of work to keep his mind off his miserable love life. He lifted the beer bottle to his mouth and knocked his front tooth against the rim when a hand slapped his back. Startled, he spun and came face-to-face with Bridget’s tatas.

How the hell had she known where to find him?

She planted her fists on her hips and glared. “Why’d you leave the rodeo after your ride? I thought we were going out on a date.”

A date? He’d ended their conversation with “Goodbye” not “see you later”.

“Howdy, Conway.” Sasha winked as she passed him with an empty drink tray.

“Is she special to you?” Bridget dipped her head toward Sasha.

“No.”

“Hey, Conway.” Isi strolled into the bar, backpack slung over her shoulder.

“What about her?” Bridget asked.

Isi stopped next to the bar and glanced between Conway and Bridget. “What about me what?”

Bridget glared. “Are you and Conway dating?”

“Heck, no.”

Conway wasn’t sure if he was offended or amused by Isi’s fervent denial. It was true they were just friends, but she didn’t have to act as if he was the last man on earth she’d consider going out with.

“You’re not his type.” Bridget gave Isi the once-over.

“Don’t insult her,” Conway said. Isi might not have been blessed with Bridget’s bust size, but her long silky hair and exotic eyes were sexy as hell.

Squinting, Bridget asked, “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?”

Isi inched behind Conway. He didn’t blame her for being cautious. Bridget was getting really worked up.

“I asked a couple of cowboys about you and they said you had a son.”

“I swear he won’t get in our way,” Bridget said. “I’ll make sure he’s not there when you visit.”

“Sorry, I don’t date women with children or women who want children.”

“Then why did you lead me on?”

“Hey, I never asked you out on a date. I never promised to call you and I never—”

Bridget cocked her arm and swung. Having grown up defending his name from bullies, Conway’s reflexes were sharp. He ducked in the nick of time and Bridget’s fist connected with Isi’s nose. The blow sent her reeling. Conway dove off the stool and caught her before she crumpled to the floor.

“What the hell is going on!” Red’s booming voice bellowed across the bar.

Bridget took one look at the giant man and sprinted for the door.

“I need a towel and ice,” Conway said.

“Here.” Sasha shoved paper napkins into his hand and he pressed them against Isi’s bleeding nose then led her to a chair. “God, Isi, I’m sorry.” He swallowed a curse as the skin beneath both her eyes began to bruise.

Red offered a towel packed with ice, and Conway placed it against her nose.

“I can’t feel my face,” she moaned.

“Hang on, honey.” He wiped away the blood then spoke to Red. “I’m taking her to the emergency room.” Damn Bridget. Already Isi’s petite nose had swollen to the size of a kosher pickle.

He helped Isi to her feet and Sasha handed him Isi’s backpack. Isi swayed after taking a step toward the door, so he tucked her against his side and practically carried her out of the bar.

They drove in silence to the hospital. He figured she was hurting pretty bad if she couldn’t give him hell about Bridget. He parked in the visitor lot in front of the emergency entrance.

“I don’t need to see a doctor. I’ll be fine,” she said.

“Let the doctor make that call.” When he reached for the door handle, she snagged his shirtsleeve.

“I don’t have health insurance.”

He wasn’t surprised. Isi worked part-time at the bar and by law Red didn’t have to offer her benefits. “You got punched in the face because of me. I’ll take care of the bill.” It was the least he could do.

Once inside, Isi filled out the paperwork then waited almost an hour before a nurse took her to get an X-ray. Conway spoke to a billing representative and made arrangements to pay for Isi’s E.R. visit. By the time Isi returned to the waiting room, the bruising beneath her eyes had worsened.

Conway shoved the container into his jean pocket, thanked the nurse and escorted Isi to his truck. “Do you have a concussion?”

“No.”

“Want to take a pain pill right now? I’ll go back inside and buy you a bottle of water from the vending machine.”

“No, thanks. I’ll take a pill after I drive myself home.”

“You’re not driving anywhere tonight.”

“I can’t leave my car at Red’s.”

Conway didn’t want to pick a fight with Isi when she was hurting. He drove her to the bar and parked next to her 1996 white Toyota Camry. “I’ll follow you to your place.”

“That’s not necessary.”

“Maybe, but I’ll feel better knowing you got home safe.”

She grabbed her backpack then hopped out and slammed the truck door. Conway drove behind her as she pulled out of the lot. He knew she lived in a trailer park nearby but had forgotten which one.

Isi headed southwest a mile then entered the Desert Valley Mobile Home Park. The neighborhood was well kept—mostly single wides. She pulled beneath a carport in front of a white trailer with faded turquoise trim. Instead of the traditional rock and cactus landscape, the yard consisted of dead grass and dirt. He parked behind Isi and followed her to the door.

“Thank you for taking care of the hospital bill,” she said.

“I’ll pay for any follow-up doctor visits.”

“As long as your girlfriends stay away from the bar, I won’t need to see any more doctors.”

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t think Bridget would follow me after I left the rodeo.”

“You might have to compromise if you want to find the perfect woman, Conway.”

He didn’t want to discuss his love life. “Do you have a friend who will stay with you tonight?”

“I’m fine, Nicole.” Isi sent Conway a silent message. “I ran into the kitchen door at the bar.”

So she didn’t want the sitter to know the truth—fine by him, because the truth made him look like an idiot.

“Conway, this is Nicole. She watches the boys when I’m at the bar. Nicole, this is Conway. He’s a friend.”

“Nice to meet you,” Nicole said.

While Isi asked the sitter how the boys had behaved, Conway studied the furnishings. Sparse was the first word that came to mind. The furniture appeared secondhand—TV, love seat, chair and coffee table. Kids’ artwork decorated the walls and colorful plastic bins filled with toys had been stacked in the living room corner.

“What time did the boys go to bed?” Isi asked.

“Fifteen minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry to have to cut the night short.” Isi faced Conway. “Where are those pain pills?”

He handed her the bottle and she went into the kitchen and got a drink of water. “I won’t be working at the bar this weekend, so I’ll see you on Monday, Nicole.” Isi disappeared down the hallway then a moment later he heard a door open and close.

“Do you need a ride home, Nicole?” Conway asked.

“No, I live here in the trailer park with my aunt.” She walked to the door. “I left a note on the kitchen table for Isi. Will you make sure she reads it in the morning?”

“Sure.”

After Nicole left, Conway stood in living room uncertain what to do. Was it okay to leave Isi and her kids alone after she’d taken a pain pill? What if a burglar tried to break into the trailer or the water heater caught on fire? Isi was in no shape to handle a crisis.

The least he could do after she’d taken a blow meant for him was stay the night and make sure she and her sons remained safe. As soon as she woke in the morning, he’d hightail it back to the farm.

A sixth sense told Conway he was being watched. He opened his eyes beneath the cowboy hat covering his face. Two pairs of miniature athletic shoes stood side by side next to the sofa. He played possum—not an easy task when his legs were numb from dangling over the end of the love seat all night.

“Is he dead?”

The question went unanswered. “I bet he’s dead.” The same voice spoke again. “Poke him and see.” A second voice, slightly higher in pitch than the first, whispered.

Conway grinned, glad the hat hid his face.

“Get Mom.”

“She’s sleeping.”

The sound of a food wrapper crinkling reached Con-way’s ears.

“Shh.”

“I’m hungry.” Crunching followed the statement. Conway shifted on the couch and groaned.

“He’s alive.”

“Maybe he’s sick.”

“Look under his hat.”

“You look.”

“Chicken.”

“Am not.”

Conway’s chest shook with laughter as he waited for his assailants’ next move. Small fingers lifted the brim of his hat and Cheerio breath puffed against in his face.

On the count of three. One…two… three. Conway opened his eyes and his gaze clashed with the boys’. The kids shrieked and jumped back, bumping into each other. The Cheerio box sailed through the air, the contents spilling onto Conway’s chest. He studied the mess then turned his attention to the daring duo.

“Sorry, mister.” The brothers scooped oat rings off of Conway’s shirt and stuffed them back into the box. Conway swung his legs to the floor and sat up. The twins were identical. They wore their hair cut in a traditional little-boy style with a side part and both had their mother’s almond-shaped brown eyes.

He pointed to the kid holding the cereal box. “What’s your name?”

“Javier.”

Conway moved his finger to the other boy.

“I’m Miguel. Who are you?”

So Miguel was the outgoing one and Javier the shy one. “Conway Twitty Cash.”

“That’s a long name,” Miguel said.

“You can call me Conway.” It wasn’t enough that his mother had slept with every Tom, Dick and Harry across southern Arizona, but she’d also possessed a strange sense of humor in naming all six of her sons after country-music legends. “How old are you guys?”

“Four.” They answered in unison.

“Are you a real cowboy?” Miguel asked.

“That depends. You asking if I work on a ranch?”

Miguel nodded.

“I’m not that kind of cowboy.”

Javier made eye contact with his brother and Conway swore the boys conversed telepathically. “What kind of cowboy are you?” Miguel asked.

“Part-time rodeo cowboy. When I’m not bustin’ broncs, I work on a farm.”

Conway Cash is finally ready to settle down, and he has the perfect woman in his sights. The only thing is, he’s dead set against being a father—and Isi Lopez has twin four-year-old boys. When he finds himself roped into babysitting for them, life starts getting complicated!

Kids or no, Conway soon discovers he and Isi make a great couple. And hanging around with her kids isn’t so bad—that is, until they beg him to be their new daddy. The pressure is piling up for this formerly footloose cowboy…but with some luck, and a whole lot of Christmas spirit, Conway just may find himself in the center of his own ready-made family!

Marin Thomas grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. She left the Midwest to attend college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she played basketball for the Lady Wildcats and earned a B.A. in Radio-TV. Following graduation she married her college sweetheart in a five-minute ceremony at the historical Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years she and her family have lived in seven different states but have now come full circle and returned to Arizona where the rugged desert and breathtaking sunsets provide plenty of inspiration for Marin’s cowboy books.

Excerpt:

Conway Twitty Cash had only one rule when it came to women—never date one with kids. Period. No exceptions. Not even if the woman sent dirty text photos of her hooters and her coochie-coo.

Friday afternoon at the Midway Arizona Cowboy Rodeo Days, Conway had been the recipient of a sexy text from a buckle bunny he’d met earlier in the day. Once his eyes had quit bugging out at Bridget’s voluptuous tatas, he’d noticed a child’s Batman cape draped over a chair in the background of the photo. Alarmed, he’d asked his rodeo competitors about Bridget and had learned she was a single mom. When they’d first met, he’d asked if she’d had kids, and she’d said no.

Too upset to focus on his ride, the bronc had tossed him on his head as soon as he cleared the chute. Afterward, Conway had made a bee-line for the parking lot—he hadn’t been about to wait for Bridget to catch up to.

Miffed, ticked off and whole lotta pissing mad, he pulled into the Border Town Bar & Grill in Yuma—the employer of his good friend and pseudo-therapist Isadora Lopez. Two years ago when he’d first met Isi, he’d been drawn to her dark brown eyes and girl-next-door prettiness. He’d turned on the charm and she’d rewarded his flirting with fleeting touches, accidental bumps and sultry looks. Then he’d asked her to dance during her break and when their bodies had come in contact, a zap of electricity had shot through him. He’d been sure the night would end in Isi’s bed, until she’d mentioned that she was a single mother of twin boys.

He’d told Isi that he had nothing against kids, but had no intention of ever being a father. From that day on, they’d settled into a comfortable friendship where Isi listened to him whine and offered advice about how to find the perfect woman—one who didn’t want children.

The bar was packed on this late September afternoon. The crowd sitting in front of the big-screen TV watched a college football game between state rivals the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. Conway slid onto a stool and waved to the barkeep. Red was a mountain of a man—six-feet-seven inches—and bald with a crimson beard that ended in the middle of his chest.

After handing a pitcher of margaritas to a waitress named Sasha, Red brought Conway a bottle of his favorite beer. “You rodeo today?”

“Got bucked off.”

“Too bad.”

“Where’s Isi?” Conway asked.

“In class.” Red checked his watch. “She should be here any minute.” Isi was working toward a two-year business degree from the local community college.

Red went to fill a drink order and Conway picked at the paper label on his beer bottle and silently cursed Bridget. Why was it so difficult to find a woman who didn’t want children? After he’d discovered he came from a long line of deadbeat dads, he’d decided he didn’t want to follow in their footsteps, but unlike his father, grandfather and great-grandfather Conway wasn’t opposed to marriage. He yearned for the emotional closeness of a committed relationship.

He wasn’t a braggart, but the face he saw in the mirror each morning had garnered his fair share of female attention. At twenty-eight he’d thought for sure he’d have found the one by now, but every time he began thinking happy-ever-after, the one decided she’d like to have children after all.

Maybe he should take a break from his search. Now that he was responsible for managing the family pecan farm, he had plenty of work to keep his mind off his miserable love life. He lifted the beer bottle to his mouth and knocked his front tooth against the rim when a hand slapped his back. Startled, he spun and came face-to-face with Bridget’s tatas.

How the hell had she known where to find him?

She planted her fists on her hips and glared. “Why’d you leave the rodeo after your ride? I thought we were going out on a date.”

A date? He’d ended their conversation with “Goodbye” not “see you later”.

“Howdy, Conway.” Sasha winked as she passed him with an empty drink tray.

“Is she special to you?” Bridget dipped her head toward Sasha.

“No.”

“Hey, Conway.” Isi strolled into the bar, backpack slung over her shoulder.

“What about her?” Bridget asked.

Isi stopped next to the bar and glanced between Conway and Bridget. “What about me what?”

Bridget glared. “Are you and Conway dating?”

“Heck, no.”

Conway wasn’t sure if he was offended or amused by Isi’s fervent denial. It was true they were just friends, but she didn’t have to act as if he was the last man on earth she’d consider going out with.

“You’re not his type.” Bridget gave Isi the once-over.

“Don’t insult her,” Conway said. Isi might not have been blessed with Bridget’s bust size, but her long silky hair and exotic eyes were sexy as hell.

Squinting, Bridget asked, “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?”

Hardworking cowboy Johnny Cash has always been a protector to his little sister’s best friend, sweet but tough cowgirl Shannon Douglas. It’s pretty crazy for girls to ride bulls—yet it’s her life to live. Then he realizes he’s got some purely male instincts toward her, too. But absolutely no way can he fall for his boss’s daughter—if he loses his job, there’ll be hell to pay at home .

Shannon was raised to be strong and independent. She wants a national title so bad she can taste it—and she needs Johnny’s help. His protectiveness drives her crazy the same way his kisses do. But she’s not about to hang up her bull rope because of him! Her heart says he’s the one—but her own stubborn streak might push away the only man who might actually understand her.

My Review:4.5 Star Review – Cash Brothers series

I recommend this book.

As always I enjoyed the book by Marin. Look forward to the next book in this series. Due out in October 2013 “Twins Under The Christmas Tree” Featuring Conway Cash. For more information on the Cash Brothers see The Cash Brothers facebook page.

Since Johnny Cash’s grandparents have passed he has been looking after his siblings since he is the oldest and took over the father responsibilities.He believes it is his responsibility to save the ranch as he made a promise to his grandfather.He also wants to help his brothers and sister stay on the right path.His mother was always out on the fun looking for her true love always coming home pregnant.Once she had the babies she left them with the grandparents and went back in search of her true love.

Shannon Douglas was abandoned by her mother when she was a baby.She was raised by her father and brothers.She was always a tomboy as she wanted to fit into the all-male family.Since she was younger she has tried to take after her brothers in everything they achieved she needed to also get.Now she wants the title of Cowgirl of the year by competing in the bull riding events.She thinks if she gets that title it will make up for her mother not loving her.

Shannon has known Johnny for years as she is best friends with his sister.She has also spent a lot of time with his entire family a one time or another.

During a rodeo she is injured and breaks a bone in her leg.Now she must work harder in order to heal and still get the title.

Johnny is working for Shannon’s father as foreman on his ranch and after Shannon breaks down and tells him she has a fear of getting back on the bulls he agrees to help Shannon train.

To find out the answers to the below pick up the book:

Will he be able to train Shannon and still get his work done at the Ranch?

Will Shannon overcome her fear and get the title she desperately wants?

A few of my favorite parts of the book:

“It’s time for you to pull your weight.” They walked back to the cabin.

“You guys wish woman fawned all over you like they do me. I can’t help it if I.mn the best-looking Cash brother.” He got behind the wheel. “Watch yourself with Rodriguez. He’s a ladies’ man. If he wants Shannon, he’ll get her.”

Over my dead body.

“Before we say grace, I have an announcement to make.” Dixie shared a smile with Galvin, then held up her water glass.

Marin Thomas grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin. She left the Midwest to attend college at the University of Arizona in Tucson, where she played basketball for the Lady Wildcats and earned a B.A. in Radio-TV. Following graduation she married her college sweetheart in a five-minute ceremony at the historical Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nevada. Over the years she and her family have lived in seven different states but have now come full circle and returned to Arizona where the rugged desert and breathtaking sunsets provide plenty of inspiration for Marin’s cowboy books.

Read an ExcerptOn a hot, mid-August Saturday Johnny Cash stood in the cowboy ready area of the Butterfield Stage Days Parade and Rodeo in Gila Bend, Arizona, and watched the fireworks display between lady bull rider Shannon Douglas and all-around rodeo cowboy C. J. Rodriguez.

The hand-gesturing and boot-stomping drew a lot of notice and Johnny edged closer, ready to intervene if the argument quickly went south.

“You’re supposed to be my man, not Veronica’s,” Shannon said.

No surprise that the notorious buckle bunny Veronica Patriot had sunk her claws into another cowboy. The woman was hell on boot heels and took what she wanted—mostly cowboys in committed relationships. If that was the case, and Rodriguez had cheated on Shannon, then Johnny felt bad for her.

Shannon was his sister’s best friend and Johnny had known her most of his life. Nine years her senior, he’d been a big brother to the little girl who’d spent countless afternoons playing at the Cash pecan farm or trailing after him at her father’s spread where Johnny worked as a seasonal ranch hand.

Rodriguez jabbed his finger in the air. “I can’t help it if I attract women everywhere I go.”

Hands fisted, Shannon stood her ground. “You’re ticked off that I won last week.”

“You didn’t beat me.” Rodriguez glanced at his competitors, who pretended not to listen.

Shannon laughed. “You’re sore because fans are finding out you’re not the superstar you claim to be.”

The feuding couples’ audience showed no signs of intervening. Pretty soon the rodeo officials and cameramen would notice the confrontation playing out behind the chutes and broadcast the lovers’ spat on the JumboTron.

“Shannon.” Johnny stepped from the shadows and touched a finger to the brim of his black cattleman’s Stetson.

She flashed him a grateful smile. “Well, if it ain’t the Man in Black.” Rodriguez snickered.

Johnny’s hackles rose. What the hell had his mother been thinking when she’d named him and his brothers after country-and-western singers? It had been bad enough that they’d all been fathered by different men. From the day Johnny entered kindergarten, he’d been teased—not that his mother had cared.

When his biological father, Charlie Smith, had split after Johnny’s birth, Aimee Cash had become an absentee mom, gallivanting across the Southwest, searching for the next Mr. Right. She hadn’t been there when Johnny had come home from school with his first black eye—Grandma Ada had hugged him and insisted there was room in the world for two Johnny Cashes. Eventually he might have learned to turn the other cheek, but every year or two, another brother had been born and saddled with a moniker that needed defending until he grew old enough to fight his own battles. And Johnny had made his fair share of trips to the principal’s office during his school career.

“Back off, Rodriguez.” He leveled a sober stare at the cowboy.

“This is bullshit.” Rodriguez threw his gear bag over his shoulder and stomped off. The onlookers dispersed.

“You okay?” he asked Shannon.

“Yeah. C.J.’s just frustrated with his riding, that’s all.” She rolled a clump of dirt beneath her boot.

“They did.” She watched the rodeo helpers load a bull into a nearby chute. “Dynasty Boots offered me and C.J. a better deal and bought out our contract with Wrangler.”

“What kind of better deal?”

“If C.J. and I continue to compete against each other and keep up our sham of a romance—fans love that we’re a couple—” she said, rolling her eyes “—we—”

“You’re not a couple?”

“Not anymore.” She shrugged. “Anyway, whoever has the most wins after the Tucson rodeo in January earns a fifty-thousand-dollar bonus.”

Johnny whistled between his teeth. “Where does the score stand between you two?”

“Dead even.”

“No kidding?”

“Did you think because C.J.’s a man he’d be ahead of me in the competition?”

“No I ” Johnny shrugged. In truth, he believed bull riding was best left to cowboys, but if there was ever a cowgirl who could go the distance with the men, Shannon Douglas was that girl.

“If I want to win the title of Cowgirl of the Year, I need to beat C.J.” She shifted her weight from one foot to the other, clearly agitated. The hotshot cowboy had rattled her.

“You sure you’re okay?” His gaze roamed over her body.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Rodriguez must be blind.”

Her cheeks flushed pink. Even though Shannon was a tomboy, the subtle signs of a pretty woman were evident. Her turbulent green eyes, fringed with thick black lashes, glowed with a vibrant, determined spirit. Then there was her mouth, plump lips that begged a man to Startled by his train of thought, he cleared his throat. What the heck was he doing—cataloging his sister’s friend’s body parts? At least he’d stopped before he’d checked out her—

“I got to the rodeo late. Did you ride this afternoon?” she asked.

“Sandpiper tossed me on my keister.”

“Did any of your brothers compete?”

“The rest of the gang stayed behind to work on the bunkhouse.”

“I heard Dixie threw all of you out of the farmhouse after she and Gavin married.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’re about to kick off the men’s bull riding event, but first, we have a special treat for you.” Applause and whistles filled the arena. When the noise died down, the announcer continued. “Shannon Douglas is about to show us that cowgirls are as tough as cowboys when it comes to bull riding!”

The crowd noise was deafening. Johnny had no idea Shannon had become so popular on the circuit. “You sure you’re okay?” She shot him a dark look, so he said, “Good luck,” and moved aside. He didn’t stray far—in case Rodriguez got it in his head to pick another fight with her. After she put on her Kevlar vest, protective face mask and riding glove, she climbed the chute rails while the announcer finished his spiel.

“Shannon Douglas hails from the Triple D Ranch near Stagecoach. She’s been competing in roughstock events since high school and you won’t find a tougher cowgirl in the whole state of Arizona!” The JumboTron displayed a close-up of her as she waved to the fans. “This cowgirl’s about to tangle with Boomerang, a veteran bull known for his tight spins.”

Shannon stretched a leg over the bull and settled onto his back. She wrapped then rewrapped the rope around her gloved hand and Johnny worried that she was thinking about her quarrel with Rodriguez.

He spotted her partner inching toward the chute and stepped into the man’s path. He wasn’t letting the rodeo playboy taunt Shannon. Only after the gate opened and Boomerang sprang free, did Johnny turn to the action inside the arena.

Shannon hung on through three spins. As the seconds ticked off the clock, the bullfighters moved into position, ready to help if needed.

Six seven

The buzzer sounded and Shannon waited for an opening to dismount. Boomerang chose for her. The bull kicked out at the same time he twisted his back end and she catapulted through the air. She hit the ground and skidded several feet across the dirt. His heart stalled when Boomerang turned on Shannon as she struggled to stand.

Head down, the bull charged and a collective gasp rippled through the stands. The bullfighters made a valiant attempt to intervene, but the beast was fixated on his rider.

Move, Shannon, move!

She must have felt the ground shake, because she rolled sideways in the nick of time and the bull’s horns missed her by inches. Scrambling to her feet, she stumbled toward the rails as the rodeo helpers guided Boomerang to the bull pen.

When Shannon’s boot hit the bottom rung, Johnny held out his hand and her green eyes flashed with relief. Adrenaline pumped through his blood and he yanked her too hard over the rails, her momentum carrying him backward. They tumbled to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs, Shannon sprawled on top of him. Damned if he couldn’t feel the soft mounds of her breasts through her Kevlar vest. His arms tightened around her and the first thought that popped into his head was how good she felt pressed against him.

“There you have it, folks!” the announcer bellowed. “Shannon Douglas has bested Boomerang!”

The announcer’s voice startled them and Shannon rolled off of Johnny. Another cowboy offered his hand and helped her to her feet. Her competitors congratulated her with fist pumps, high fives and hearty pats on the back. By the time Johnny stood, she was no longer smiling. A few yards away, dressed in a red-and-white-checked cowgirl blouse, Veronica Patriot hung on Rodriguez like a cloth over a picnic table. Obviously the cowboy wasn’t trying very hard to play up the romance between him and Shannon.

“Hey, Johnny.” Andy Kramer, a bareback rider, stopped by his side and nodded to Shannon as she removed her protective gear. “Bet you’re glad Dixie quit riding bulls.”

For sure. Last summer Shannon had convinced Johnny’s sister to compete in a few rodeos, but Dixie had turned up pregnant after the second one and scratched her final ride.

“You wanna grab a beer when we leave here?” Andy asked.

“Sorry, I’ve got a date.” He planned to stop at his girlfriend’s apartment and surprise her with a night on the town. He hadn’t seen Charlene in forever and the last time they’d talked on the phone, the conversation had been strained. He hated that they were growing apart, but he’d been forced to put their relationship on the back burner the past year in order to deal with family problems and the pecan farm’s financial crisis.

“See ya at the next go-round.” Andy walked off.

Johnny grabbed his gear and strolled over to Shannon, intending to say goodbye, but Rodriguez beat him to her.

“Can we talk somewhere?” Rodriguez nodded to the stands.

Shannon caught Johnny’s eye and he asked, “Want me to stay?”

“Thanks, I’m good.”

After she left with Rodriguez, Johnny headed for the exit. What the hell had gotten into him? It was one thing to look out for Shannon at the rodeo—another to hold her close when they’d crashed to the ground.

Cool off, buddy. No harm done.

Then why had X-rated thoughts drifted through his mind when Shannon had been sprawled on top of him?

He cut through the rows of pickups to his truck parked at the rear of the lot. Once he stowed his gear, he drove south toward Stagecoach. In an effort to put Shannon out of his mind, he listened to talk radio. Ten miles passed and he hadn’t heard a word the radio host said. Johnny pulled off at the next roadside gas station and bought a coffee in the convenience store, then sat in the truck and stared out the windshield.

When had he stopped loving Charlene?

He couldn’t recall the last time Charlene and the word love had occurred in the same thought. Johnny’s memory floated back in time first one month then two then six and finally a year. He couldn’t blame the demise of his and Charlene’s relationship all on his siblings and the farm. His feelings for his longtime girlfriend had been gradually fading, but because he’d been comfortable with the status quo, he’d paid no attention to the signs.

He and Charlene had been together a little over seven years and he hadn’t asked her to marry him. The last time she’d brought up marriage, he’d recently found out Dixie was pregnant and then he’d gotten word the agricultural company leasing the pecan groves had gone bankrupt. Marrying Charlene would have added another person to his list of responsibilities.

Unbeknownst to his brothers, Johnny had made the mortgage payment on the farm for the past eight months, depleting his savings—funds that had been earmarked for a house once he and Charlene tied the knot.

Shannon. When she’d landed on top of him this afternoon, he’d felt a sharp stab of arousal shoot through his body. He hadn’t experienced a physical zap like that with Charlene in forever. He sipped his coffee and winced as the scalding liquid burned his tongue. If anything good had come out of running into Shannon at the rodeo, it was recognizing that tonight he had to end his relationship with Charlene. She deserved better than to be strung along.

He started the truck and merged onto the highway. An hour later, he took the exit for Yuma. He arrived at Charlene’s complex and parked in a visitor spot, then removed her apartment key from his key ring.

When he rounded the corner of the building, he bumped into a man. “Sorry.” Together they ascended the stairs to the second story where the guy stopped in front of Charlene’s apartment and rang the bell.

The door opened and Charlene smiled. When she caught sight of Johnny, her eyes widened.

“Hello, darlin’,” Johnny said. The color drained from her face and he thought she might cry. “Mind if I have a word with you in private?”

She motioned for Mr. Businessman to enter the apartment, then stepped onto the landing and shut the door. “I can explain.”

“How long have you been seeing him?”

“This is our second date.” She sighed. “I was going to tell you the next time I saw you, but we haven’t spoken in three weeks.”

Had it been that long? “Don’t apologize.” His pride hurt that she’d moved on before they’d officially broken up, but in the grand scheme of things, he was relieved she was making this easy for him.

“I’m sorry, Johnny. I should have told you I wasn’t happy.”

She’d given off plenty of clues that her feelings for him had changed, but he’d been too distracted to notice.

After he handed her the apartment key, she said, “Wait here.” She returned a few minutes later—hair mussed. Obviously the new guy wanted him to know he’d staked his claim on Charlene.

She held out a cardboard box filled with his toiletries and personal items. “If you’d like, I can fetch the two necklaces and pair of earrings you bought me.”

They’d been together seven years and that’s all he’d given her? “Those were gifts. I don’t want them back.” He shifted the box in his arms. “Good luck with—” He nodded to the door.

“Sean. We met at work.” Charlene kissed his cheek. “You’ll always be special to me, Johnny.”

“Take care,” he said.

The apartment door closed and the scraping sound of the dead bolt ended their seven-year relationship.

Johnny left the complex feeling as if an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He’d had good times with Charlene and she’d been the first woman he’d fallen in love with, but happy-ever-after hadn’t been in the cards for them.

Once he reached his truck, he decided he didn’t feel like being alone. He’d stop at a bar and properly mourn the end of his relationship with Charlene. She’d stuck it out with him for longer than most women would have, and the least he could do was drink a few beers and pretend she’d broken his heart.